Shiv Sena (UBT) holds blockade on Samruddhi highway to protest low onion procurement rates

The protest was led by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve. File | Photo credit: ANI

Shiv Sena (UBT) workers on Monday (May 18, 2026) staged a ‘chakka jam’ (road blockade) agitation on Samruddhi Highway in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, to protest low onion procurement rates.

“The agitation that took place around 10 am at Jambargaon junction in Vaijapur tehsil saw protesters burning tires on the expressway and blocking traffic,” the official said.

Speaking to reporters, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Ambadas Danve, who led the protest, said, “The authorities have not given permission for our agitation. But we are here to support the onion farmers. We want the government to procure the crop at a good price and that is our only demand from the agitation.”

He alleged that onions are being bought at 25 to 50 paisa per kg, which is unfair to the farmers. “Onion growers are committing suicide. While the central government has announced a procurement price of ₹ 12.35 per kg, no one is buying produce at that price,” alleged Mr. Danve.

The police later detained Mr. Danve and the agitators and took them to the Vaijapur police station, easing the blockade on the highway.

Against the backdrop of falling onion prices, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced last week that the Center will buy onion from farmers at a price of ₹ 12.35 per kg.

The price of kitchenware fell as exports were affected by the crisis in West Asia.

Published – 18 May 2026 13:17 IST